A window to Punjabi culture in Chicago, APNA PUNJAB, formed a new board having Jagmeet Singh as President and Nick Gakhal as Chairman. More than 1000 attended the cultural mega show Apna Punjab organized by Punjabi Americans Organization (PAO) on Saturday April 1st at Mather High School in Chicago. The festivities went on from 7p.m. till midnight. Apna Punjab showcased the local talent of participants from all ages promoting Punjabi culture and performing arts of local talents. They were full of energy and style to get the best out of their dance, Singing, skits, Bhangra, Gidha, fashion show and other activities.

The program started with religious songs followed with cultural festivities. Noor Punjab da dance by Manveer Singh Sidhu, Jaskirit Singh Khaira, Maheshwar Dyal Singh and Sanpreet Singh performed a very energetic dance and thrilled the audience. Then came the dance by Shasha Singh and Sana Walia.Hanumita Juneja performance mesmerized the audience. Punjabi Kuriyan presented dance by Sharon Singh, Kiran Hundal, Yashpreet Singh and Amrit Kaur.

A comedy skit Namkaran performed by Gurmakh Bhullar, Jaspal Kaler and Vipan Kaler was hilarious, songs were rendered by Parminder Singh, Dalbir Kaur, Jagmeet Singh, Vicky Saini, Parmod Kumar, Sonu Khaira, Ajit Bhatia and Gurvinder Kaur Sahni.Punjabi poetry was presented by Balbir Singh.Punjab Sone di chiri was presented by Sunny Dulat and Supreet Dulat. Deepi Multani, Meghna Walia and Ruby Singh performed the Sanjna dance. Simi Dulat, Supreet Dulat, Amrita Randhawa, Poonam Dhillon, Jasmeen Randhawa and Bhavneet Randawa, performed Bhangra Mitran da.

Vandana Walia of Pehchaan very well coordinated Punjabi Fashion show.
Shikha Kahlon, Avneet Kahlon and Kiran Randhawa presented traditional Punjaban dance.
Remix and energetic performance by Tanvi Arora, Binni, Lisa, Sonia, Nandini and Tesa took a lot of applause by the audience.  Gurvinder Kaur Sahni, Sonia Kular, Vipan Kaler, Mini Multani, Joti Khaira, Rupinder Kaur, Jatinder Bains, Deepi Multani, Geena Saggu, Arvinder Bains, Simran Bains, Manpreet Kaur and Yashpreet Kang performed the world famous folk dance of Punjab, Gidha. It was one of the highlights of the night, which was performed with great energy and enthusiasm. Ajay Randhawa, Iqbal Lall and Joey performed special Dhol performance, which shook the auditorium with their thunderous beat on the Dhol. PAO Bhangra was another sensational performance by Jessie Multani, Meghna Walia, Deepi Multani, Arjun Walia, Ruby Singh, Ryan Singh, Harpreet Gill, Shawn Singh, Navjot Multani, Ranveer Gill, Sunny Sekhon and Raman Sekhon. Rahul Gill and Group entertained the audience with their special presentation of the evening. The program was held by a group of teenagers, Gurvinder Sahni, Sonia Kular, Gurmakh Singh Bhullar, Pinki Sarrangbani and Dr.Harjinder Singh Khaira. With all of these wonderful performances held, there couldn’t be an end to this festive night without the wonderful cultural taste catered from Cuisine of India.

The event organization committee included the P.A.O. officials with many community volunteers, Music was provided by "Tohfa" group of musicians.  More than 200 local artists, young and old participated on stage rendering about 25 items. The guests of honor for the evening were prominent businessman of Indianapolis Paul Khalil and from Michigan Laddi Multani, Joga Singh Khalil. The program was sponsored by Paul Khalil,Laddi Multani, Salwan Trading, Rangla Punjab Organization in Milwaukee, Jaidev Singh Bhathal, and Paul Dandona, President Gulzar Singh thanked PAO Board and volunteers who made the event successful. Chairman Nick Gakhal highlighted the PAO achievements and projects. President Gulzar Singh thanked the Board for their hard work and dedication for organizing the event.New Board was formed under the presidency of Jagmeet Singh and chaired by Nick Gakhal. The objective of P.A.O is to create awareness of Punjabi fine arts, festivals, and rich culture among our own next generation and also the mainstream community. Apna Punjab show provides encouragement and opportunity to our youth to learn more about Punjabi music and dance art forms," said Jagmeet Singh the incoming President.

The organizing committee was Gulzar Singh Multani, Nick Gakhal, Dr.Harjinder Singh Khaira, Pinki Sarrangbani, Jagmeet Singh, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Gurvinder Kaur Sahni, Savi Singh, Vandana Walia, Gurmakh Singh Bhullar, Indermohan Singh, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, Paul Dandona, Sukhdev Singh, Sonia Kular, Vipan Kaler, Pinky Walia, Priscilla Oliveros, Meghna Walia, Kit Gakhal, Sonu Khaira, Parminder Singh Happy, Deepi Multani, Jaspal Kaler, Sunny Dhillon, Sukhwinder Singh, Surinder Singh Bhatia and Joe Bagri.
Representatives from different organizations Punjabi Heritage Organization (PHO), Rangla

Punjab Organization Milwaukee, Punjabi Cultural Society Indianapolis, Punjab Sports Club and South Asian Christian Coalition were present.

Shan Kapoor and  Mohinder Rakalla captured memories in photos and video.